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JAKARTA: The leaders of Singapore and Indonesia will meet in person during a retreat to be held later this year, the foreign ministers of both countries said on Thursday (March 25).
At a joint press conference, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan said: “I think in our previous discussion, we had looked, particularly Bintan. And maybe that’s a site for which we can convene our Leadership Retreat.”
“So the Leaders’ Retreat will proceed this year, be careful with the date. Our two leaders will meet in person,” he said, adding that there will be a full agenda.
His Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi said: “We agreed to propose to our leaders to have the Leadership Retreat in person in 2021.
“This year, the key theme of our cooperation is how we recover together from the pandemic,” he added.
Mdm Marsudi revealed three issues to highlight, namely investment cooperation, cautious preparation to revive the travel and tourism sector and cooperation in the digital economy.
Dr. Balakrishnan noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, both sides made substantial progress on the bilateral front.
Since both countries are now seeing the number of COVID-19 infections declining and implementing their vaccination programs, he said it is time to start planning and collaborating on the post-COVID-19 recovery.
“So the ideas that have turned out now will be implemented in the coming months,” he said.
Meeting between Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on March 25, 2021. (Photo: Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
On the economic front, the minister said that Singapore has remained the largest foreign investor in Indonesia for six years in a row.
“And last year, despite the challenges, Indonesia’s FDI (foreign direct investment) from Singapore increased by almost 50%. It reflects Indonesia’s vote of confidence in the prospects for economic growth and confidence in the future of Indonesia. And this happened in times of crisis. “
He also touched on bilateral projects, including the Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java, which he said has made good progress.
He said that now there is a need to promote the development of a port to support the development of the industrial park.
Touching the digital park in Nongsa, Batam, he said: “I am very proud to see that unfold.
“In fact, we now have a digital bridge from Singapore to Batam. And as globalization and the digital revolution progress, I see great prospects for that bridge to become a vibrant connector.”
He believed that the digital park will provide opportunities for young people in Singapore and Indonesia.
Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in a meeting with Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno on March 25, 2021 (Photo: Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Commenting on tourism, Dr. Balakrishnan said he met with Indonesian Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno earlier that day.
“We are looking, as the situation improves … the gradual and safe reopening of travel arrangements. And again we are looking at areas of mutual interest,” he said.
Over the weekend, Uno said preparations can begin for a “safe travel corridor” between Singapore, Batam Nongsa and Bintan Lagoi.
READ: Singapore-Batam-Bintan ‘travel corridor’ for Singapore tourists only, says Indonesian minister
Early Thursday, Uno told a press conference that the two countries will discuss the details of the travel corridor. He said that Dr. Balakrishnan invited him to visit Singapore to test the route from Tanah Merah ferry terminal to Batam Nongsa and Bintan Lagoi.
“We will continue to escalate the discussion to a more detailed level. Hopefully in the coming weeks we will be able to convey progress,” said Mr. Uno.
Banyan Tree Bintan Private Beach. (Photo: Kiki Siregar)
One said that details and the date of the trip were still being finalized, including whether April 21 could be the opening date as initially suggested.
He also revealed that both sides have discussed a possible travel corridor between Singapore and Bali, as there may be Singaporeans who want to work from Bali.
FOREIGN MINISTERS OF SINGAPORE, INDONESIA RETURN TO THE SUMMIT IN MYANMAR
Dr. Balakrishnan and Mdm Marsudi also discussed the latest situation in Myanmar.
“We are both very distressed by the situation in Myanmar. I can say that the position taken by both Indonesia and Singapore is practically identical, “said Dr. Balakrishnan.
“We are very concerned about the situation. We are saddened by the loss of human life, by the use of lethal weapons against unarmed civilians.”
“We both believe that national reconciliation should happen and can only happen if both sides really feel in good faith, negotiate and find a solution that works for Myanmar in the long term.”
Dr. Balakrishnan stated that both countries believe that there should be no foreign interference, but ASEAN is ready to help.
“And so we also support our leaders coming together to generate a common position where ASEAN can express its support for Myanmar. So there is a lot of work that we need to do on that front, hence that meeting. ASEAN “.
Meanwhile, Mdm Marsudi also said that Indonesia is concerned about the situation in Myanmar.
“We also share our position to call on the Myanmar military to stop the use of force and prevent more casualties. We also urge Myanmar to initiate a dialogue to put democracy, peace and stability back on track,” said Mdm Marsudi .
“Indonesia and Singapore also support the initiative to hold the ASEAN Leaders Summit in the near future. Our goal of achieving an ASEAN community can only be achieved with the contribution of all ASEAN members,” he added.
Dr. Balakrishnan is in Jakarta for a two-day working visit.
Earlier this week, he visited Brunei, where he had an audience with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and was invited to lunch by the Second Foreign Minister, Erywan Pehin Yusof.
Brunei is currently president of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
READ: Malaysia and Singapore use blockchain technology for COVID-19 vaccination certificates
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Dr. Balakrishnan visited Malaysia and both countries reaffirmed their commitment to work to recognize each other’s COVID-19 vaccine certificates, with a view to facilitating cross-border travel in the future.
He will return to Singapore on Friday evening.
